US grant for MAGA-aligned groups in Europe excludes French applicants over election fears

A U.S. grant program designed to support organizations aligned with Trump administration priorities in Europe will exclude French applicants due to concerns about foreign interference ahead of France's 2025 presidential election. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) offers grants of $1 million to $3 million for initiatives related to democratic resilience, rule of law, and freedom of speech. However, Washington fears that funding MAGA-aligned groups in France could jeopardize extensive economic ties between the two countries. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated, "France and the Europeans will not tolerate any attempt at foreign interference in their electoral processes, regardless of where it comes from." This decision reflects growing French concerns about potential U.S. interference, particularly as Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally could gain power.